Madra Monday 2026: A Pawsome Day of Dogs, Fun and Expert Advice

Connolly’s RED MILLS was delighted to host Madra Monday as part of the 2026 Savour Kilkenny Food Festival on Monday, 26th October, bringing together dogs, their owners and dog lovers for an afternoon of fun, entertainment and expert advice.

Held on The Parade in Kilkenny City, Madra Monday celebrated our four-legged companions with a fun-filled programme of activities, special guests, competitions, demonstrations and plenty of treats and surprises.

A Day Full of Activities

The event featured something for everyone, with a dedicated Dog Show Arena, expert talks, dog-friendly activities, a photobooth, face painting, balloon making and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the afternoon with four-legged friends.

Visitors also had the opportunity to explore the Connolly’s RED MILLS Leader Natural Dog Nutrition range, meet our team and learn more about choosing the right nutrition for their dogs.

The Connolly’s RED MILLS Leader Dog Show

One of the highlights of the day was the return of the Connolly’s RED MILLS Leader Dog Show, which brought plenty of excitement to the arena.

Dog owners entered their four-legged companions across a range of fun categories, including:

• Most Pawsome Puppy
• Best Rescue Dog
• Quickest Sit
• Best Fancy Dress
• Best Golden Oldie
• Best Buds (Dog and Child)
• Best Hair
• Best Treat Catcher
• Best Waggly Tail

The competition also featured Best in Show and Champion Reserve, recognising some of the standout dogs of the day. Every dog that entered received a Connolly’s RED MILLS goodie bag filled with treats and surprises.

Expert Talks and Advice

Throughout the afternoon, visitors had the opportunity to learn from a fantastic line-up of experts who shared their knowledge and advice on pet nutrition, grooming and behaviour.

The programme included:

• Pet Nutrition: Chris Ahearn and Jenny Crozier from Connolly’s RED MILLS shared expert insights into canine nutrition.
• Pet Grooming: Niamh McElhinney from Connolly’s RED MILLS offered practical grooming tips and advice.
• Pet Behaviour: Suzy White, IAABC CDBC, from The Dog Centre, Kilkenny, shared helpful advice on understanding dog behaviour and supporting happy, healthy relationships between dogs and their owners.

Special Guests

Madra Monday was hosted by Siobhán Donohoe, who brought her enthusiasm and energy to the event as MC for the afternoon.

The Connolly’s RED MILLS Leader Dog Show was judged by Robert O’Neill, whose extensive experience in dog judging and passion for canine welfare made him a fantastic addition to the event.

We were also delighted to welcome Suzy White from The Dog Centre, Kilkenny, who shared her expertise in dog training and behaviour with visitors.

Thank You for Joining Us!

Connolly’s RED MILLS would like to thank everyone who joined us for Madra Monday 2026, including all the dog owners, visitors, special guests and everyone who helped make the event possible.

It was a pleasure to bring the local community together to celebrate our love of dogs, share valuable pet advice and enjoy an afternoon of fun as part of the Savour Kilkenny Food Festival.

We look forward to seeing you and your four-legged friends again!